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Projeto de investigação
Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology - Associate Laboratory
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Publicações
A Comparative Analysis of the Venom System between Two Morphotypes of the Sea Anemone Actinia equina
Publication . Alcaide, Maria; Moutinho Cabral, Inês; Carvalho, Lara; Mendes, Vera M.; Alves de Matos, António P.; Manadas, Bruno; Saúde, Leonor; D’Ambrosio, Mariaelena; Costa, Pedro M.; DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
The current study investigates the venom-delivery system of green and red morphotypes of the sea anemone Actinia equina to disclose its potential as a source of bioactive compounds. We compared the two morphotypes using electron and optical microscopy, proteomics, and toxicity assessment on zebrafish embryos. Specialized venom-injecting cells (nematocysts) are equally distributed and found in the tentacles of both varieties. Proteomics revealed proteins of interest in both red and green Actinia, yielding the three most abundant Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to the biological processes “proteolysis”, “hemolysis in another organism” and “lipid catabolic process”. Neurotoxins and cytolytic toxins similar to known cnidarian toxins like PsTX-60A and AvTX-60A, for instance, were identified in both types. Extracts from green and red anemones were toxic to zebrafish embryos, with green anemone venom appearing to be more potent. The findings highlight the presence of proteinaceous toxins in A. equina and the potential for different varieties to possess distinct bioactive compounds. Notably, pore-forming toxins are suggested for molecular probes and immunotoxins, making them valuable assets for potential biotechnological and biomedical purposes.
An Exploration of Novel Bioactives from the Venomous Marine Annelid Glycera alba
Publication . Campos, Sónia; Rodrigo, Ana P.; Moutinho Cabral, Inês; Mendes, Vera M.; Manadas, Bruno; D’Ambrosio, Mariaelena; Costa, Pedro M.; DCV - Departamento de Ciências da Vida; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
The immense biodiversity of marine invertebrates makes them high-value targets for the prospecting of novel bioactives. The present study investigated proteinaceous toxins secreted by the skin and proboscis of Glycera alba (Annelida: Polychaeta), whose congenerics G. tridactyla and G. dibranchiata are known to be venomous. Proteomics and bioinformatics enabled the detection of bioactive proteins that hold potential for biotechnological applications, including toxins like glycerotoxins (GLTx), which can interfere with neuromuscular calcium channels and therefore have value for the development of painkillers, for instance. We also identified proteins involved in the biosynthesis of toxins. Other proteins of interest include venom and toxin-related bioactives like cysteine-rich venom proteins, many of which are known to interfere with the nervous system. Ex vivo toxicity assays with mussel gills exposed to fractionated protein extracts from the skin and proboscis revealed that fractions potentially containing higher-molecular-mass venom proteins can exert negative effects on invertebrate prey. Histopathology, DNA damage and caspase-3 activity suggest significant cytotoxic effects that can be coadjuvated by permeabilizing enzymes such as venom metalloproteinases M12B. Altogether, these encouraging findings show that venomous annelids are important sources of novel bioactives, albeit illustrating the challenges of surveying organisms whose genomes and metabolisms are poorly understood.
Effect of ScCO2 on the decontamination of PECs-based cryogels
Publication . Bento, Cristiana S. A.; Carrêlo, Henrique; Alarico, Susana; Empadinhas, Nuno; de Sousa, Hermínio C.; Teresa Cidade, Maria; Braga, Mara E. M.; CENIMAT-i3N - Centro de Investigação de Materiais (Lab. Associado I3N); DCM - Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais; Elsevier
Biopolymers present ideal properties to be used in wound dressing solutions. By mixing two oppositely charged macromolecules it is possible to form polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) based cryogels using lyophilization. Their application in the biomedical field is limited due to their sterilization requirements, as conventional methods compromise their physicochemical properties. ScCO2 appears as an alternative method for decontamination. This work assessed several cryogel PEC formulations, chitosan-pectin, gelatine-xanthan gum and alginate-gelatine. PEC formation was confirmed by FTIR and rheological analysis. While steam sterilization compromised cryogels’ chemical and morphological properties, decontamination with scCO2 proved to be a promising method for decontamination of PEC-cryogels, because, similarly to what is observed with hydrogen peroxide, it does not compromise their physicochemical properties.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Número da atribuição
LA/P/0058/2020